World News
Obama appeals for calm as ebola death toll nears 5 000─── 09:42 Sun, 26 Oct 2014
Washington - US President Barack Obama has told Americans that they must be "guided by the facts, not fear" when it comes to the deadly Ebola virus, as he urged a sensible vigilance.
His announcement came less than a week after the fiancée and almost 50 other people who had been in contact with a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, who died after becoming the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the US, emerged from 21 days of quarantine with no signs of illness.
Reuters reports the death toll from the virus has risen to 4 922 out of 10 141 known cases in eight countries.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the three worst-hit countries of West Africa - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - account for the bulk.
Meanwhile, BBC reports the authorities in Mali have confirmed the death of the country's first Ebola patient, a two-year-old girl.
The WHO says the toddler had travelled hundreds of kilometres by bus from Guinea through Mali showing symptoms of the disease.
More than 40 people known to have come into contact with her have been quarantined.
The girl was being treated in the western town of Kayes, after arriving at a hospital on Wednesday.
The girl's mother died in Guinea a few weeks ago and the child was then brought by relatives to Mali.
Reuters/BBC
